How it happened: Nadal wins 13th Roland Garros title; ties Federer

From first ball to last, keep up to date with the latest from Roland Garros every day on TENNIS.com. We'll have match updates, photos, video highlights and more in our daily notebook: Passport to RG.

On Sunday, Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, to triumph for the 13th time at Roland Garros and claim a men's record-tying 20th major title.

On the level he produced in less than ideal conditions:

"Played a very good final. I played at my highest level when I needed to play at my highest level, so something I am very proud [of]. The personal satisfaction is big because under the circumstances that we played this Roland Garros, even if I played an amazing match this afternoon, the conditions are a little bit not the conditions that I will choose, never, to play an event like this. I was able to adapt well. I was able to, as I say the first day, to be positive in every circumstances that I was facing during the whole event, trying to accept all the challenges in terms of sometimes the feeling on the ball haven't been great because of the cold and everything."

On sharing the men's majors record with Federer:

"I always say the same, that I would love to finish my career being the player with more Grand Slams. No doubt about that, no? But in the other hand I say, okay, I have to do my way. I did my way during all my career. Worked well. I'm not going to be thinking all the time Novak have this one, Roger is winning the other one. You can't be always unhappy because your neighbor have a bigger house than you or a bigger boat or have a better phone. You have to live your personal life, no?

"Personally that's the things that I did during all my career, just try to follow my road, try my best every single day. In terms of these records, of course that I care. I am a big fan of the history of sport in general. I respect a lot that. For me, means a lot to share this number with Roger, no?

"But let's see what's going on when we finish our careers. We keep playing. I don't know what can happen in the future. I am just excited and of course is something that means a lot to me. At the same time, [to] share this record between us that we had an amazing rivalry for such a long time, is something in some way beautiful I really believe. Let's see what is going on."

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Following Rafael Nadal's victory over Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer tweeted this message of congratulations to the Spaniard on joining him with 20 major titles.

"I have always had the utmost respect for my friend Rafa as a person and as a champion. Therefore it is a true honor for me to congratulate him on his 20th Grand Slam victory. It is especially amazing that he has now won Roland Garros an incredible 13 times, which is one of the greatest achievements in sport. I also congratulate his team, because nobody can do this alone. I hope 20 is just another step on the continuing journey for both of us. Well done, Rafa. You deserve it."

"I don't have much to say but that I was completely overplayed by Rafa, by [a] better player on the court. He was not missing at all and getting every ball back, just playing tactically great. I felt well throughout the entire tournament. I thought I was in a great form. Certainly I could have played better, especially in the first two sets. But just, he did surprise me with the way he was playing, the quality of tennis he was producing, the level. I mean, he's phenomenal. He played a perfect match, especially in the first two sets."

"I was also thinking that these conditions are more favorable to me. I was feeling great throughout the tournament playing, playing great tennis, winning in Rome, being very confident about my game. But, yeah, Rafa has proven everybody wrong. That's why he's a great champion. He just played a fantastic match today. That's all."

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Then and now...

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WATCH: Finalists give trophy presentation speeches

In a quick post-match address to the crowd, Rafael Nadal was asked about what it means to win his 20th Grand Slam title to draw even with Roger Federer.

"To win here means everything to me. Is not the moment—honestly, not for me I don't think today about the 20th or equal[ing] Roger on this great number," Nadal said. "For me today is just a Roland Garros victory, no? Roland Garros means everything to me. I spent here the most of the most important moments in my tennis career, no doubt about that. For me, just to play here is a true inspiration and the love story I have with this city and this court is unforgettable."

In a stunning performance, world No. 2 Rafael Nadal blasts past top-ranked Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, to claim a remarkable 13th Roland Garros crown and 100th match win at the event. In completing his triumph with a fitting ace, Nadal has equaled long-time rival and friend Roger Federer with a men's record 20th major title. It marks the fourth time he's lifted the trophy at Roland Garros without dropping a set. For Djokovic, he suffered his first loss in a completed match this season.

Rafael Nadal held a break point to put the championship on his racquet. Novak Djokovic saved it to hold, though Nadal had no problem leveling the set at 5-5. Djokovic then double faulted to drop serve, giving his opponent the chance to serve out the contest.

In the span of a few minutes, Novak Djokovic did something he hadn't all day: he broke Rafael Nadal's serve, then held to win consecutive games for the first time. Nadal to serve at, 3-4, in the third. Will Djokovic be able to take this any further? He didn't hide his emotions after winning the sixth game.

He's just three games away from history. After pulling out his best take on Aga Radwanska (or Angelique Kerber) by getting low for a backhand winner on a game point, Rafael Nadal broke Novak Djokovic to take a 3-2 lead in the third set.

Does it get any better for Rafael Nadal? He's hit 21 winners to six unforced errors, broken five times and hasn't lost serve through two sets against Novak Djokovic, leading, 6-0, 6-2. A complete shut of the door would see the Spaniard lift his 13th Coupe des Mousquetaires and a men's record-tying 20th major. Nadal is aiming to complete his run to the title without dropping a set for the fourth time (2008, 2010 and 2017).

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Novak Djokovic has faced break points in every one of his service games. Just two serves thus far have not been returned by Rafael Nadal, who has extended his advantage to 6-0, 5-1. The Djokovic drop shot continues to be problematic. In a near carbon copy of an earlier game in set two, Nadal ended a tremendous deuce rally by having the final word.

Make it nine of 10 games won for Rafael Nadal, who now leads Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 3-1. Having gone zero for five on break points to start the second set, Nadal set up his sixth opportunity after making Djokovic pay for floating a drop shot. The lefty would ultimately break the Serbian for a fourth time, and back it up in his next trip to the line.

Will Novak Djokovic settle in now that he's posted a game? He recovered from 15-40 down, and saved a third break point to begin the second set against Rafael Nadal. Djokovic made 11 of 12 first serves before posting the crucial hold. If anyone can reset after losing a set 6-0, it's Djokovic.

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He had three break points to get one break back, but Novak Djokovic was unable to convert. A game later, he led 40-0, only to yet again see himself unable to get on the board. The world No. 1 has held eight game points across three separate games. Nadal has been successful with going up the line on both wings so far in posting just the second bagel set in 147 played against Djokovic (2019 Rome final). Nadal hit 10 winners to two unforced errors in opening the one-set lead after 45 minutes of work. He is 91-0 after winning the first set at Roland Garros. Djokovic won just 3 of 11 first-serve points.

Novak Djokovic led 40-15 in the opening game, but Rafael Nadal found a way to break and consolidated for 2-0. Nadal threw up defensive lobs twice in the first game and won both points. In the third game, a double fault saw Djokovic fall behind 15-40, and Nadal would convert on his second opportunity when Djokovic's backhand found the net. Both have four winners thus far, but Djokovic has hit six unforced errors to Nadal's one.

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Rain began falling at Roland Garros a half hour before the final was due to start. The roof was closed and with the players starting, it will remain closed for the entirety of the match. An advantage for Djokovic? The top seed will serve to begin the match.

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It’s a historic day at Roland Garros, for world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Rafael Nadal continue their storied rivalry with more on the line than ever before (Djokovic leads 29-26). Djokovic, who holds more wins on clay against Nadal than anyone else, is aiming to become the first man in the Open Era to lift each major trophy twice. The 2016 champion in Paris, a title would see Djokovic increase his career Slam haul to 18. The Serbian has won nine of his past 10 major finals and is the last man to topple Nadal on Court Philippe-Chatrier—five years ago in the quarterfinals.

Nadal, who enters Sunday with a 99-2 mark at Roland Garros, is seeking to tie Roger Federer’s record-setting men’s pace of 20 majors. The left-hander has never lost at the clay-court major once advancing to the semifinal stage (25-0) and has won 29 straight matches in the French capital. Playing his 1200th career tour-level match, Nadal is bidding for his 999th victory and 60th trophy on clay. The 34-year-old owns the most wins of any player, male or female, over No. 1-ranked players with 20.